Detergent dispensing device

ABSTRACT

Detergent in block form can be fed in dosed amounts to the dispensing compartment of a washing machine if the particular detergent block is introduced into a magazine from which it can be fed to the washing machine via a size-reducing unit and optionally a dispersion unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The invention relates generally to a detergent dispensing device for awashing machine, and more particularly to such devices for initiallyaccommodating detergent in block form, and removing the required amountfrom the blocks, and converting the same to a form more readily useablein a washing machine.

2. Discussion Of Related Art

German patent application P 37 21 381.4 describes a powder dispenser ofa washing machine for portioning washing powder from an intermediatecontainer into a dispensing compartment. This known dispenser isdesigned in such a way that it satisfactorily dispenses not onlyfree-flowing detergent, but also detergent containing lumps and thelike. To this end, the dispenser is provided with sufficiently largedispensing holes in the base of the intermediate container, a collectingplate fixed at a distance beneath each of the dispensing holes and astripping mechanism. The stripping mechanism is designed to move in thespace between the underside of the base and the collecting plates, andsweeps over substantially the entire plate surface.

In addition to the use of detergents in powdered, liquid or paste form,the possibility exists of using detergents in block form. Blocks can beproduced in any desired shapes and dimensions, e.g., by casting.Considerable advantages result from handling detergent blocks, since onone hand blocks do not become dusty and cannot escape through holes, forexample. Such detergent blocks also can be transported in packages thatstack well. Competitive considerations also favor the shaping of thedetergents in block form, since block-shaped detergents can be producedclearly differently from competitive products.

One problem in the use of detergent blocks is that the blocks can bedissolved only with the aid of large amounts of water and time, forrinsing into the washing machines. In EP-A 20,709, a distributing devicefor a cleaning agent existing in block form is described. With itscasting mold still around it, the block is placed in the accommodationcontainer provided for it, and water is allowed to flow around it foruse.

An additional detergent dispensing device is known from WO 88/06199.With this device it is possible to supply detergent blocks of equaldetergent quantities, held in portions in a reservoir container, to awashing machine. However, since these detergent blocks are conveyed tothe wash water in the form of their intact units, they do not dissolveas rapidly as powdered detergents, and the high detergent concentrationneeded in a washing machine does not become established rapidly enough.

A detergent dispensing device of the initially indicated type is knownfrom FR-A-72992. In this device, detergent blocks are finely divided andsupplied in granular form to the wash water in washing machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to provide an improved detergentdispensing device which is suitable for processing block typedetergents, to obtain the highest wash liquor concentration desired inthe wash program as rapidly as when powdered detergent is used.

Another object of the invention is to remove a portion of the detergentblock, and thereafter dispense a predetermined amount of the detergentinto the washing machine in a readily dissolvable form.

Another object of the invention is to ensure the detergent enters therinse-in chamber of the machine in already partially or completelydissolved form.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in oneembodiment of the invention by including a magazine for containing theblock detergent, followed by a device for reducing the size of a block,and processing the removed portion for dispensing by a dispersing unitinto the washing machine. In accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, the size reduction device used is a mill, preferably a raspdisk suitable for the grinding of soap, with a drive motor actuated inaccordance with the desired quantity to be added. One substantialadvantage of this control method consists of the fact that the supply offinely divided detergent to the rinse-in chamber of the washing machineis performed precisely at the point of the product flow at which theblock form, advantageous outside the machine, is converted into a fineparticle form, advantageous inside the machine. It is also advantageousto dispense at the point where the block-shaped detergent is supplied inpiece form to the size reduction device In the latter case, magazinesare preferred in which the detergent blocks are present in sorted form,e.g., one on top of the other in a shaft, and are conveyed to the sizereduction device with a slide or step switcher as needed. Finally, themagazine itself can also be advantageously equipped at its output, in aspace saving way, with a size reduction device, so that ultimately thesize reduction device is integrated into the magazine.

In an embodiment of the simplest type, the metering is regulated onlythrough the drive power supplied to the size reduction device. In suchan embodiment it may be sufficient to place the detergent blocks at theinlet site of a rasp or mill, and to drive this device at a speed suchthat precisely the desired amount of detergent in particle form per unittime is delivered to the rinse-in chamber of the washing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like items areindicated by the same reference designation, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dosing system for the use of detergentblocks.

FIG. 2 is a basic illustration of the magazine, size-reducing unit andwashing machine in that order.

FIG. 3 shows exploded partial assembly views of various magazine andsize-reducing systems at the entrance to the dispensing compartment of awashing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the successive stations involved inthe manufacture and processing of detergent blocks 9 (see FIG. 2). Thestarting product 1 is made in the form of blocks 2 for transport,storage, etc. Accordingly, the detergent enters a magazine 3 in blockform 9. From the magazine 3, the blocks 2 are transported into a mill orother sizereducing unit 4. The units 3 and 4 may be combined into amagazine mill 5. Any number, for example several days' rations, ordetergent blocks 9 can be stored in the magazine 3. From the magazine 3,each individual block 9 passes into a size-reducing unit 4 where it isprocessed, for example by means of a grating disk or rasp 4A (see FIG.2), into small chips that are easy to dissolve in the dispensingcompartment of a washing machine 8. Depending on the formulation of thedetergent blocks 9 or on the shape of the product chips, the detergentcan be introduced into the dispensing compartment of a washing machine 8either directly along the path 6 or via a dispersion unit 7. An injectoror nozzle system is preferably used as the dispersion unit 7.

FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of a detergent dispenser according tothe invention comprising a magazine 3 holding detergent blocks 9, a millincluding a grating disk or rasp 4A designed to be driven by a motor 10,a dispersion unit 7 supplied with water 11 and the washing machine 8.The detergent blocks 9 are fed to the magazine 3 from above in thedirection of the arrow 12, enter the dispersion unit 7 in finely dividedform from the mill 4 in the direction of the arrow 13 and pass from thedispersion unit 7 in the direction of the arrow 14 into the dispensingcompartment of a washing machine 8.

Within the context of the invention, the shape of the detergent blocks 9is not of crucial importance. Cylindrical or rectangular bars, forexample, are suitable. The blocks may weigh 50 to 5,000 g. depending onthe capacity of the magazine mill 5 and on the demand of the followingwashing machine 8. The size of the detergent blocks 9 also depends onwhether they are to be used in domestic or institutional washingmachines.

FIG. 3 shows three different types of magazines 3a, 3b and 3c, foralternative embodiments of the invention, respectively. In all threecases, the detergent blocks 9 are arranged one above the other in amagazine duct 15. Laterally displaceable plungers 16 or metering wheels17 may be used for dosing. Whereas the magazines 3a and 3b dose the nextdetergent block 9 to be introduced into a following size-reducing unit4, the magazine 3c incorporates an integrated size-reducing unit, moreparticularly a size-reducing press 18, on the lines of a magazine mill 5(FIG. 1). The size-reduced particles pass along the lines 14a and 14b tothe dispensing compartment 19 of a washing machine 8.

The block dispenser according to the invention may be used both indomestic washing machines and in institutional laundries. In this case,as with known dispensers for powder-form or liquid detergent, severalwashing machines may even be connected simultaneously to one and thesame dispenser consisting of a magazine 3, a mill 4 and, optionally, adispersion unit 7 within an overall laundry control system. In addition,methods and machines of the type defined in DIN 24 100, Parts 1 and 2,may be used for size reduction.

Although various embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein for purposes of illustration, they are not meant to belimiting. Certain modifications to these embodiments may be recognizedby those of skill in the art, which modifications are meant to becovered by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A detergent dispenser for a washing machine, comprising:anintermediate container for holding a supply of detergent; a dosingmechanism associated with said intermediate container for supplyingdetergent to a motor driven mill; and said intermediate containerfurther including:a magazine duct for holding or storing detergentblocks in a vertical stack; said motor driven mill being located in onelowermost side wall portion of said magazine duct; and means located inanother lowermost side wall portion of said magazine duct opposite saidmill and associated one lowermost side wall, for forcing a lowermost oneof said detergent blocks against said mill for grinding.
 2. A detergentdispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate container isfollowed by a dispersion unit.
 3. A detergent dispenser as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said mill includes a grating disk.
 4. A detergentdispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intermediate containerwith detergent present in block form, includes means for feeding thedetergent blocks to the motor driven mill by gravity.
 5. The detergentdispensing device of claim 1, wherein said forcing means includes adisplaceable plunger.
 6. A detergent dispensing device for a washingmachine comprising:a magazine type storage container configured foraccommodating a supply of detergent in block form; a size reductiondevice attached to an outlet of said magazine, for receiving detergentblocks therefrom, said size reduction device including:a motor drivenmill selectively activated for mechanically reducing the detergentblocks into a quantity of smaller pieces or particles necessary for adesired dosage; and means located in a lowermost side wall portion ofsaid magazine opposite said mill, for forcing a lowermost one of saiddetergent blocks against said mill for grinding; and a dispersing unitconnected to an outlet of said size reduction device, for receiving thegrounds of detergent from said size reduction device, and dispersing thesame into the washing machine.
 7. The detergent dispensing device ofclaim 6, wherein said mill includes a rasp disk driven by said motor. 8.The detergent dispensing device of claim 6, wherein said forcing meansincludes a displaceable plunger.